Teenagers who smoke believe they are not healthy but persist with their habit because they think it’s “cool”, research published today reveals.
In a poll of a teens aged between 16 and 18 who buy their own cigarettes, most were found to have started smoking as young as 12 or 13.
The report was commissioned as part of a joint initiative between the Government, drug company Pfizer, the Irish Heart Foundation, Dublin City University and the National Parents Council Primary.
The move from primary to secondary school was a trigger point, with teenagers saying they used cigarettes as a coping mechanism to manage everyday stress.
Dr Angie Brown, a consultant cardiologist and chairwoman of the anti-tobacco organisation, Ash Ireland, said the findings are hugely important in helping the fight against teenage smoking.
"Irish teenage smoking continues to pose a real threat to the lives of young people with short-term consequences on health, including respiratory and non-respiratory effects, addiction to nicotine and the associated risk of other drug use, not too mention the long term consequences, such as cancer and heart disease, among others," she said.
The report was carried out by an independent market research company with male and female secondary school students across Dublin, Galway and Cork, all of whom were smokers.
Other findings included:
- None of the teenagers considered their lifestyles to be healthy, with smoking too much, drinking too much and eating too much junk food the main reasons.
- Peer pressure, curiosity and being sophisticated or "cool" were key to them trying their first cigarette.
- Around 20-30 per cent tried unsuccessfully at some point to quit smoking, while the majority believed they will eventually stop.
- Drinking alcohol in early teenage years and parents who smoke were influential factors, with ease of access to
cigarettes through shops also acting as an encouragement.
- Anti-smoking ads that use visually arresting images to depict the health consequences of smoking, were most effective, particularly ones that showed the effects of smoking a person's physical appearance.
The Office of Tobacco Control estimates that 16 per cent of Irish people aged 12 to 17 smoke, with 28 per cent of 16 to 17-year-olds currently smoking.
David Gallagher, managing director of Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, said: "As a teenager making the decision not to start smoking could be one of the most important health decisions a young person can make.
"We hope this report lends itself to uncover new ways of intercepting smoking in teenagers, in addition to providing us with valuable suggestions as to how smoking prevention and cessation could be successfully addressed in this age group."
PA